Slotting exhaust manifolds / studs vs ARP bolts / nordlocks

[jazzdude]

Whats the current consensus regarding these two methods of getting the manifolds back on?

The first sounds easiest and cheapest (how long do the studs need to be?), the second seems to have mixed reviews. Yes they go on quicker but many say they have a tendency to need more retightening. Plus for me they will cost nearly €100 with shipping.

Having changed my gaskets a couple of months ago, I decided to get them off again to get access to the chassis, and also cut the precats out. The bolts being 'fresh' should come out easily.

[jazzdude]

Using ARP bolts with slots worries me as I understand the bolts are shorter than the mild steel ones and not enough thread will be in the holes while dropping the manifold on.

It wasn't clear how wide the slots need to be or whether they should be vertical and parallel with each other or at an angle.

I liked the idea of the waisted studs though with 3/8 nuts.

[jazzdude]

Can anyone tell me what size waisted studs I need to get?

I think I would like to slot the manifolds and use these along the bottom, the top ones aren't too bad so I will probably just keep the original bolts on those.

[jazzdude]

jojackson4 said:

ARP with nordlock washers and slotted manifolds no problems

Top tip if you go down that road centre punch the heads of the bolts it gives the
Washers some more bite

Yes I have seen that, thanks.

I am looking into these waisted studs with the smaller nuts, they cost a fraction of the arps, just not sure of the correct size.

[jazzdude]

In the end I just went with ARP bolts with Nordlocks. I couldn't find a definitive answer re the waisted studs either and really didn't want to be messing around with trial and error.